Ebonyi killings: Rights lawyer defends Nwifuru’s response

From Jude Chinedu, Enugu

A senior lawyer and human rights advocate, Agbai N. Agwu, has defended Governor Francis Nwifuru’s actions following the killing and beheading of residents of Okporojo village in Oso Edda community, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The attack, allegedly carried out by assailants from the Amasiri clan in neighbouring Afikpo Local Government Area, left four persons dead and several houses burnt.

In response, Nwifuru ordered the immediate closure of schools in Amasiri, imposed a 20-hour daily curfew, dismissed some political appointees and dethroned certain traditional rulers in the affected communities.

But while a petition by Maduabuchi Idam to the governor, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, questioned the measures, Agwu insisted the governor acted within his constitutional powers to safeguard lives and property.

In a petition dated February 2, 2026, obtained by our correspondent, Agwu described the steps taken by the governor as “corrective administrative measures” rather than acts of despotism.

“Traditional rulers and political appointees are the eyes and ears of the government. When beheadings and property destruction occur under their watch without prior intelligence being shared with the state, their wilful blindness or active complicity renders them unfit for office,” he said.

He argued that legal advocacy should not be used to shield suspected perpetrators of communal violence.

“While the right to legal advocacy is sacrosanct, it must not be weaponized to shield suspected orchestrators of communal violence or to undermine the sovereign responsibility of the State to protect lives and property,” he stated.

Agwu also questioned the motive behind the frequent petitions allegedly written in favour of Amasiri in the lingering Amasiri–Oso Edda conflict.

“The alacrity and frequency with which he issues petitions in favour of Amasiri are becoming increasingly suspicious. His interventions appear less like impartial legal advocacy and more like a coordinated effort to distract security agencies from ongoing investigations,” he added.

He dismissed claims that traditional burial rites in Amasiri made the attack impossible.

“The claim that a traditional ‘lockdown’ for burial rites makes an attack impossible is logically flawed. It is a farce and a derisory alibi,” he said.

Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, Agwu maintained that the governor was duty-bound to take firm action.

He urged the National Security Adviser and the Chief of Defence Staff to ignore “quick-fire” petitions and continue supporting the Ebonyi State Government’s efforts to restore order.